MP opens garden of remembrance

Conor McGinn MP paid a special visit to Garswood Primary School to assist in the unveiling of a garden of remembrance.
Mr McGinn was joined by St Helens Council’s cabinet member for children, families and young people, Councillor Sue Murphy, school staff and the parents of Zac Barston, a Year 6 pupil who passed away earlier this year, to officially open ‘Zac’s Garden.’
To mark the day, the school participated in a sponsored event which saw children in the nursery and reception classes hold a ‘wild rumpus’ in the spirit of the popular children’s book, Where The Wild Things Are.
Year 6 also completed a sponsored swim as a tribute to their class mate, Zac, a keen swimmer who even continued to swim throughout his illness, glioblastoma multiforme, the most common and aggressive type of brain tumour.
The garden is an outdoor space where the children can go to reflect, read or just have some quiet time – complete with a large wooden sculpture of a sloth, Zac’s favourite mammal.
Councillor Murphy, who is chair of governors at the school, said: “It was a privilege to help open this beautiful garden that acts as a wonderful tribute to such a special, inspirational child who will always be part of the Garswood family.”
All monies raised from the sponsored events will go to the Children’s Brain Tumour Research Network  based at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, set up following Zac’s death.
Headteacher, Pam Potter, said: “We are determined to raise the profile of glioblastoma multiforme, for which research is very limited.
“To do this, we are committed to hold an annual event at the school to contribute towards the ‘Children’s Brain Tumour Research Network,’ a charity that is very close to our hearts.”